- Cheri RussoCommunications and Marketing Manager
Lancaster – Scott Wharton took a majority of his undergraduate classes at Ohio University Lancaster, and now the retired U.S. Air Force pilot is proud to come back to his old stomping grounds to honor veterans. Five generations of Wharton's family have served in the U.S. Military since the Civil War.

"My father, George Wharton, served in Korea and Vietnam. He did two and a half combat tours," said Scott Wharton. "He is the man I look up to the most and the reason I was in the military. My great grandfather fought and died for the Union at the battle of Antietam. My grandfather served in the Navy during WWI."

Scott Wharton, his father, and his son, Thomas Wharton, are going to speak at OUL's Veterans Appreciation Night on Wednesday, November 13. Ohio University's regional campuses were founded in the 1940's on the idea of bringing higher education to communities where World War II veterans with families and jobs needed access. Ohio University Lancaster | Pickerington prides itself on being able to help veterans acquire the education and skills they need to get a job. There are currently about 90 veterans enrolled on campus.

Scott Wharton said he was honored when he was asked to speak and celebrate veterans on campus at OUL.

"It's important for veterans to be able to work, be with their families and finish their education," said Wharton. "A regional campus is a great value for college. Many don't realize how valuable having local access to college is for veterans after getting out of the service."

Information booths for services pertaining to veterans will be in the North Lobby of Brasee Hall from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. It will also include a reading by Columbus native and veteran Colin Halloran. Halloran will read from and discuss his book of poetry, "Shortly Thereafter." The poetry reading starts at 6:30 p.m. and the formal ceremony will immediately follow. Halloran will sign books after the event.